Sports writer for The Age

Western Bulldogs' out-of-favour tall forwards have given the club reason to ponder a reshuffle for its match against St Kilda this weekend.

The Bulldogs' incumbent forward targets, Stewart Crameri and Tom Campbell, kicked three goals between them in the 62-point loss to Hawthorn last week (admittedly the team kicked only six for the match).

In the VFL, where the Bulldogs' standalone team Footscray is thriving in its inaugural season, tall targets Liam Jones, Ayce Cordy and Jarrad Grant kicked 12 goals between them in a 131-point pummelling of soon-to-fold Bendigo Gold.

Tory Dickson. Photo: Joe Armao

Jones was dropped in round 15 after two goalless match but has kicked 15 goals in five matches in the VFL since then, including 10 in his past two.

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Cordy, who turns 24 on Wednesday, has not progressed beyond the VFL this season. In his 15 matches he has been named among the best played on five occasions, although Sunday's match was only the second time he has kicked multiple goals.

Grant, last used at senior level in round 14, has kicked nine goals in six matches.

Ayce Cordy. Photo: Ken Irwin

In addition to the trio, the VFL side also boasts Tory Dickson. The mid-sized forward was in good form at senior level before seriously injuring his shoulder in round eight. He has kicked three goals in the VFL across the two matches he has played since recovering from surgery.

Bulldogs senior assistant coach Brett Montgomery declined to specifically address the immediate senior selection prospects of any of the forwards. He did, however, declare the Bulldogs "are seeing some positive signs from our players in the VFL, across all lines".

"In the recent past we've had fewer options at the lower level, but we are encouraged by the depth that's starting to emerge," Montgomery said.

"We are now seeing the benefits of having our own VFL team, which gives all our younger players every opportunity to reach their potential and that will remain a strong focus for us.

"A common characteristic of the stronger teams is the healthy level of competition for spots, across multiple positions, and that's what we are working towards as a club."

The club's decision to invest in a standalone VFL team has delighted coach Brendan McCartney.

"From a club perspective (it has been great for) our supporters to see our young players running around in a Western Bulldogs/Footscray jumper, our colours," McCartney said last week.

"There's no doubt it's been a smoother transition. We were getting our development done (sufficiently) in a previous regime, but it's certainly enhanced it.

"The players agree that it's added to our unity - not that there was an issue with it, it's just got them a little bit closer. It's been good, less disjointed."

Footscray sits second on the VFL ladder, two wins behind leader Port Melbourne, with three home-and-away matches remaining. Should it be level on points with a rival it is almost certain of finishing higher because of its percentage of 163.44, a seemingly insurmountable 26 percentage points ahead of the next-best club, Port with 137.59.